1980 GL1100 cafe
Moderators: sunnbobb, Neil, Forum Moderators
- ogrebro
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:11 pm
- Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
1980 GL1100 cafe
Decided I needed a new project so bought a 1980 GL1100 standard to build a Cafe bike. One of the things I would like to do is put later model front forks, brakes etc on this. I was looking at my sons FZ1 Yamaha this morning and it looks stout enough. I've seen some pics of other front suspensions on wings but have no idea of what was used. What doner bikes work and how hard are they to adapt? This is my 4th wing and I'm looking to build a comfortable cafe!
Thanks!
Bill
Thanks!
Bill
Last edited by ogrebro on Sun May 04, 2014 11:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
- irishcarbomb
- Silver Member
- Posts: 605
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2013 6:58 pm
- Location: Humble, TX
Re: 1980 GL100 cafe
First gen Hayabusa front ends have been used, I went with 03-04 gsxr 1000 (by accident). Without spacers it lowers the front 2". Its quite an easy swap, just requires grinding down the frame neck a bit and a bearing conversion kit from All Balls Racing.
Welcome to NGW! Lots of knowledge here... You can see pictures of how they look on my bike in the build thread(linked below in my signature)
Mine became a bit of a combination with gsxr 1000 forks/wheel, 750 brake calipers and hayabusa discs.
Welcome to NGW! Lots of knowledge here... You can see pictures of how they look on my bike in the build thread(linked below in my signature)
Mine became a bit of a combination with gsxr 1000 forks/wheel, 750 brake calipers and hayabusa discs.
1983 GL1100 Fuel Injected Turbo Build Thread
- ogrebro
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:11 pm
- Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Re: 1980 GL100 cafe
Thanks! Guess I need to do some research on stem lengths and check on rear ended GSXRs.
Thank you again!
Bill
Thank you again!
Bill
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
- Old Fogey
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 7702
- Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:31 pm
- Location: Glasgow, Scotland
- Contact:
Re: 1980 GL100 cafe
That would be a bit of overkill on a GL100, dontcha think !!irishcarbomb wrote:First gen Hayabusa front ends have been used, I went with 03-04 gsxr 1000 (by accident). Without spacers it lowers the front 2". Its quite an easy swap, just requires grinding down the frame neck a bit and a bearing conversion kit from All Balls Racing.
Welcome to NGW! Lots of knowledge here... You can see pictures of how they look on my bike in the build thread(linked below in my signature)
Mine became a bit of a combination with gsxr 1000 forks/wheel, 750 brake calipers and hayabusa discs.
(understand; no-wone on here ever mackes mistookes with spelling, nor enything else! ohno sir, not us )
Welcome to the nut-house. Ask away! Anything we don't know, we can sure make up an answer that seems like we do!
As far as I remember, early 90s CBR600 forks are a straight swap-in.
"Impossible Is Just a Level of Difficulty!..."
If I'd wanted you to understand, I would have explained it better! (Johann Cruyff)
I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous!
If I'd wanted you to understand, I would have explained it better! (Johann Cruyff)
I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous!
- ogrebro
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:11 pm
- Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Re: 1980 GL100 cafe
Old Fogey
As typing and computer usage are not my thing I beg forgiveness of the spelling gods!
I'm a old dinosaur when it comes to these things. I've been reading up on how to post pictures so I can show the beginning of this project and get some advice on the build I'm planning. Thanks for the input on the CBR 600 forks! Not having looked at them are they stout enough for an 1100 GW?
Thanks again
Bill
As typing and computer usage are not my thing I beg forgiveness of the spelling gods!
I'm a old dinosaur when it comes to these things. I've been reading up on how to post pictures so I can show the beginning of this project and get some advice on the build I'm planning. Thanks for the input on the CBR 600 forks! Not having looked at them are they stout enough for an 1100 GW?
Thanks again
Bill
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
- Old Fogey
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 7702
- Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 11:31 pm
- Location: Glasgow, Scotland
- Contact:
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
Bill, I am going from memory. My remembery is not nearly as good as my forgetery.
I think the 90s CBR's are 41mm diam. but I'm not sure on the length of them. Someone else on here fitted Magna forks to a Wing; pretty sure they are the same diam and probably a bit longer .
I think the 90s CBR's are 41mm diam. but I'm not sure on the length of them. Someone else on here fitted Magna forks to a Wing; pretty sure they are the same diam and probably a bit longer .
"Impossible Is Just a Level of Difficulty!..."
If I'd wanted you to understand, I would have explained it better! (Johann Cruyff)
I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous!
If I'd wanted you to understand, I would have explained it better! (Johann Cruyff)
I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous!
- ericheath
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 9580
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
- Location: Winnipeg, Manituba
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
The Magna forks are too much longer for most builds. I think it was Dangeruss who posted the easier CBR swap. Here:http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=39516
I did the same with a Magna. Different look even with two inch longer stops?? to shorten it. It rides nice and sure firms up the feel. The V65 Magnas had 41 mm forks, same as CBR and gl1200. Cyborg did the full 1200 swap on his.
I think you will run into some wheel/ brake spacing issues.
I did the same with a Magna. Different look even with two inch longer stops?? to shorten it. It rides nice and sure firms up the feel. The V65 Magnas had 41 mm forks, same as CBR and gl1200. Cyborg did the full 1200 swap on his.
I think you will run into some wheel/ brake spacing issues.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
- ogrebro
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:11 pm
- Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
I'm wondering if there is a way to use a complete front suspension with steering stem, triple trees ,bars ,front wheel, brakes and all off of a newer bike to get a better handling GW. Is there any source that might have the specs of steering stem lengths to compare? This may sound foolish but this really intrigues me!
Thanks for the input!
Bill
Thanks for the input!
Bill
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
- irishcarbomb
- Silver Member
- Posts: 605
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2013 6:58 pm
- Location: Humble, TX
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
That is what I did...ogrebro wrote:I'm wondering if there is a way to use a complete front suspension with steering stem, triple trees ,bars ,front wheel, brakes and all off of a newer bike to get a better handling GW. Is there any source that might have the specs of steering stem lengths to compare? This may sound foolish but this really intrigues me!
Thanks for the input!
Bill
Here are some good links I used when researching the swap. Hard to find info on stem lengths, but they provide almost everything else.
http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135430
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=5669.0
http://forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=9105.0
1983 GL1100 Fuel Injected Turbo Build Thread
- ogrebro
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:11 pm
- Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
Thanks Irishcarbomb! This is going to make my head hurt really good!
Bill
Bill
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
- ogrebro
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:11 pm
- Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
Well here is the beginning of this project in all it's glory
- Attachments
-
- 5-2-14-1.jpg (71.21 KiB) Viewed 1273 times
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
- Casper
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3339
- Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2011 9:54 am
- Location: Calgary, Canada
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
I can see that bike is just screaming 'cafe me, cafe me!' Good luck with the build, start a new thread and keep us all in the loop.
Cheers,
Cheers,
1976 LTD, Being Returned to Stock
Standard 1976 GL1000 Being Morphed into the Alberta Super Clipper
Standard 1976 GL1000 Being Morphed into the Alberta Super Clipper
- Barney T Weasel
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 378
- Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2013 7:21 pm
- Location: Central Coast Australia
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
Looking forward to watching this change...good luck!
GL1000 '75 model Blue....heading to rat, then cafe racer then full resto...owned 33 years.
http://www.dungbeetlebiker.com/forum/forum.php
http://www.dungbeetlebiker.com/forum/forum.php
- Easter
- True Blue Steel Biker
- Posts: 2999
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
Somewhere in the early part of this thread ( http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php? ... tall+coils ) is a description of the adaptation of '93 CB1000 front end on a '75 GL 1000. It required some machining to the steering stem but was otherwise straightforward. I have about 600 miles on the bike and am very happy with the results.
Welcome and good luck.
Gary
Welcome and good luck.
Gary
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
- ogrebro
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:11 pm
- Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Re: 1980 GL1100 cafe
Well after a few hours work I've got her striped down. She looks pretty naked! I think I'll lose the Freightliner taillight and turn signals and look for something a little less obtrusive.
Bill
Bill
- Attachments
-
- 5-3-14-1.JPG (47.75 KiB) Viewed 1192 times
-
- 5-3-14-2.JPG (72.58 KiB) Viewed 1192 times
1980 Interstate, 2be Café
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 45 Replies
- 4726 Views
-
Last post by speedy69
-
- 7 Replies
- 764 Views
-
Last post by Steevensi
-
- 6 Replies
- 493 Views
-
Last post by rcmatt007
-
- 1 Replies
- 517 Views
-
Last post by Halfnaked
-
- 1 Replies
- 626 Views
-
Last post by desertrefugee